I'm a total amateur at glass work and drilling 27 holes had me scared to death! I used Lenox diamond grit tubular drills. Drilled half way thru from each side. After a couple of trial holes in scrap glass plate, I went for the gold... I got through the five panels without cracking. Below are pages on my project.

As for cutting the pattern, I designed it on the computer, pasted it on. Got a scroll saw blade for the jigsaw, drilled a hole in each section to be cut, then just followed what I heard in an old commercial: "Stay within the lines, the lines are our friends." It's really not that hard. If I can do it, anyone can.

Yep, What you said... The teeth should be approaching the 'good side' on the down stroke of the jig saw.

Some years ago I spotted a BIG chest of drawers being put out for trash...I'm guessing it was made in the 1950s or 60s.... Some serious damage in places but I saw it as something I could easily cut down for panels... The large drawer bottoms looked beautiful! About 3/16" thick plywood with unfinished mahogany veneer on the top side! I thought these would be great stock for grill work. Not so! Even though it was beautiful it was unbelievably brittle and splinters were being kicked up and down without the least provocation. I still have the sheets just because I can't seem to throw stuff away I guess...